I downloaded 'Station1' from Portalmaps.com but no matter what I try I can't upload it onto the game. It doesn't recognize it's existence, because it isn't the right file type. In the readme it says I can change it to the correct format (i assume) by accesing the console using the tilde key. While I do know what the tilde key is, I don't undertsand what in means by console and in game or out of game, nothing happens.

HELP!

Create a sub=folder in the:

C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\{steam name}\portal\portal\maps

folder and extract the the files from the zip file there. Then open portal and go to bonus maps and click on the folder you just created. The map will be there for you to open.

We create proper thumbnails and config files for all maps hosted on the site.

Note: {steam name} = your steam loging name

Oh and in your console.
Type:
map mapnamegoeshere

If you put it in the extras folder, you can access it in the bonus map menu. You don't need to use the console.

No, you put it in the maps folder and create a bns for it.

No, No, No, the *.bns files are already created on maps hosted here. Just extract all the files in the archive into a subdirectory (any subdirectory) under the \maps folder and you can then access them through the bonus maps menu.

Sup Dennis, I thought the map had to be made to work in bonus maps menu by the creator for it to work. Also soon there will be .bnz files that allow least steps/time/portals

The .BNZ format is nothing more than a Zip file archive of the map,image and config file. The config file is the *.bns file and it handles both the basic play and the various challenges configurations. Most of the maps that have been uploaded or made available have not included a *.bns or an image file file so we create them to work in a subdirectory, any subdirectory of the /portals/portals/ folder. This allows you to create your own subdirectories to hold different levels and better manage them for your particular needs. It is the *.bns file that the bonus maps menu looks for.

Well, it doesnt actually look for the file, you have to click "Import Bonus Maps "button, then find it. But yeah your right. Thats probably how I will package my maps, easier for users to use.

thx so much very usefull info!!!

I can see the map I downloaded in the bonus maps,,, I click load and nothing happens? Am I just being impatient? I can see the picture of the map on its name like other maps, and it tells me where I put it underneath (in maps in portal).
Why doesnt it load? Do I just have to wait a few minuets?

In Console Type map Then put the maps name
If You Can't Open It, Go To Options, Advanced And Click Enable Developer Console.

indeed half jaw is 100% correct and not only can you do this from the startup menu, once you type "map" the console will show you a list of the maps you can load, all you need to do is select with he down arrow or type out the name that is listed...also if the console does not work from the start menu by pressing ~ then go to the keyboard adavanced options and click the enable console as half jaw said! enjoy your pirated software as that's the only reason it won't load without this command.

I just downloaded the map "Accident Prone" from this site (http://www.portalgamemaps.com/) and it had no .bns file. (I redownloaded it twice to make sure.) I've gotten it running now by mimicking a .bns file from another map I downloaded.

I will look into it. Thanks.

Hi everybody,

I used to have the same problem with adding bonus maps, when I copied everything as instructed but the new maps did not show up.

There are 2 ways to add a map to your game WITHOUT the ` console:


1. You are supposed to have
"map name".bsp (the map file itself)
"map name".bns (to describe in which folder your .bsp and the thumb image are located)
"map name".tga (the thumb image for the map)

Although it is preferred to have all the 3 files, the single .bsp is enough and you can create the rest of the files quickly yourself. Let's take a look how:

1) copy the .bsp, .bns, and .tga exactly to

C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\[YOUR STEAM ACCOUNT NAME]\portal\portal\maps

please note it is the "portal" folder inside the other "portal" folder\maps


2) the .tga file is optional, it shows you the preview of the map. If you don't have the .tga, you can do without it and later you can make it yourself - save your game > alt-tab or exit Portal > navigate to

C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\[YOUR STEAM ACCOUNT NAME]\portal\portal\SAVE

and copy the .tga of the game you've just saved to

C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\[YOUR STEAM ACCOUNT NAME]\portal\portal\maps

optionally rename the .tga if you like


3) .bns is very important, if you don't have it, then save a blank notepad as .bns. If you have the .bns, then make sure you edit it with notepad:

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

"map name, where you can write any name, which you'll see on bonus maps. e.g. Station 1"
{
"map" "put the name of the .bsp BUT without the extension .bsp. e.g. if your file is station1.bsp, then spell it just station1 "
"image" "make sure it is maps/name.tga WITH the extension .tga. e. g. maps/station1.tga"
"comment" "you can leave the space blank, or write a comment here"
}

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-



e.g.

"Station 1 Map"
{
"map" "station1"
"image" "maps/station1.tga"
"comment" "Small map packed with a lot of gameplay."
"lock" "0"
}



Please see again that the downloaded .bns has it "./station1" and "./station1.tga", if you leave that way you won't add the map, so make sure to change to

"map" "station1"
"image" "maps/station1.tga"





2. If you are trying to add a map from the .bmz format, then simply start Portal > Bonus maps > Add map > navigate to the .bmz and click to open it, the new map will show up on Bonus maps.


More on bonus maps read Valve Wiki:

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Bonus_Maps#Gather_tour_maps

what game is this, lol im lost

Portal.

At first, none of the game files were showing up, but thanks to Doctor_Freeman, the folder appeared in my bonus maps area. Unfortunately, now, when I click on a level, the load button lights up, but clicking it does nothing. It presses down as if it recognizes the click, but nothing loads and there is no indication that anything is being/has been done.

What can I do to actually load the levels?

Use console.

Hi Rorschach10,

I used to have it exactly as you have described. There is a high chance you didn't edit the .bns file, why you can't load the map. Just tell me which files extensions you've got, and show the contents of the .bns file so I can adjust it for you.

I have the same problem with chamber23

I extracted its files to a new subdirectory i created: C:/program files/steam/steamapps/{myname}/portal/portal/maps/downloaded maps

I see it right where it should be, in bonus maps/downloaded map. but i can't load it by clicking load or from the console. it gives the following error:


] map chamber23
CModelLoader::Map_IsValid: No such map 'maps/chamber23.bsp'
map load failed: chamber23 not found or invalid
CModelLoader::Map_IsValid: No such map 'maps/downloaded.bsp'
map load failed: downloaded not found or invalid

wtf?

In your maps/maps/downloaded, try this way:

"Chamber 23"
{
"map" "chamber23" ; put here exactly the name of .bsp file but without ".bsp"
"image" "maps/downloaded/chamber23.tga" ; write the .tga filename exactly as it appears in your downloaded archive
"comment" "Chamber 23."
"lock" "0"
}





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







There are:

"mapname.bsp" - map file
"mapthumb.tga" - map thumb
map.bns - map config file



That's the way you do it inside .bns file:


The name of the map"
{
"map" "mapname"
"image" "maps/mapthumb.tga"
"comment" "Write any comment here"
"lock" "0"
}



Works flawlessy for me.

i dnt see where yall get any of this i cant get any of the downloaded maps to show up please help i have it on my laptop. i dnt get how to make the subdirectory or anythig yall talking bout

Can you play custom maps on Portal:First Slice?